US3583728A - Trailer hitches - Google Patents

Trailer hitches Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3583728A
US3583728A US822235A US3583728DA US3583728A US 3583728 A US3583728 A US 3583728A US 822235 A US822235 A US 822235A US 3583728D A US3583728D A US 3583728DA US 3583728 A US3583728 A US 3583728A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
arms
trailer
trailer hitch
arm
foot
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US822235A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Allen A Cornell
David C Taube
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3583728A publication Critical patent/US3583728A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
    • B60D1/249—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for damping in the pulling direction and being integrated with the hitch, e.g. resilient dampers integrated with the hitch
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/14—Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type
    • B60D1/143—Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type characterised by the mounting of the draw-gear on the towed vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/14—Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type
    • B60D1/167—Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y-, or U-shaped draw gear
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/48—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting
    • B60D1/486—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting adapted for being mounted to the wheel axle of the vehicle

Definitions

  • a trailer hitch comprises a symmetrical substantially Y"-shaped frame having parallel terminal arm portions carrying bearings for attachment to the rear wheel hubs of a towing vehicle, the foot of the Y" being arranged for attachment to a trailer, pivotal connections being provided between the various parts of the hitch to permit rotation:
  • each bearing arcuately about the longitudinal axis of the corresponding terminal arm portion.
  • the foot portion of the frame may consist of a pair of telescopically arranged tubular members, the outer of which is adapted to be secured to the trailer, and which are adapted to provide a straight-through connection when in their fully extended position.
  • a shock absorber may be provided to damp the telescoping movement between the two tubular members, and the relative axial movement between the tubular members may be used to operate an overrun braking device on the trailer.
  • the aims of the "Y" may diverge from each other at an obtuse angle and terminate in portions extending parallel to each other. Both the inclined portions and the parallel portions of the arms may be provided with lengthadjustment to correspond to different widths and lengths of towing vehicle respectively, and the terminal end portions may be cranked to give adequate clearance around the body work of a towing vehicle adjacent the rear wheels thereof.
  • each arm is hollow, and carries a bearing-engaging clamp which includes a rod engaging in the hollow end of the arm and secured therein in a manner which prevents axial movement but allows sufficient rotational movement to permit operational arcuate rotation of the bearing around the axis of the terminal portion of the arm.
  • each bearing includes a slotted plate for attachment to the hub of the corresponding rear wheel of the towing vehicle by means of the normal securing members of the latter.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the specific embodiment of the invention with certain internal parts shown in dotted lines;
  • FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line lI-Il of FIG. 1 illustrating a clamping member
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a bearing-engaging clamp as used in FIG. 1;
  • F IG. 4 is a plan view of a slotted bearing plate as used in the embodiment of FIG. ll;
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken diametrically through the center of the bearing plate of FIG. 4 and illustrating the method of securing and supporting a stub axle;
  • FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an extension piece used for securing the plate of FIGS. 4 and 5 of the hub of a wheel of a towing vehicle.
  • the trailer hitch illustrated is generally Y"-shaped and consists of a pair of arms generally indicated at l, and a foot portion generally indicated at 2.
  • the foot portion comprises an outer cylindrical tube 3 adapted to be secured to the trailer.
  • the outer tube 3 is closed at its end by a centrally apertured plate 4 and disposed around an inner cylindrical tube 5.
  • One end of the tube 5 is closed at 6, and a rod 7 secured to this closure passes through the central aperture in the plate 4.
  • a rigid tubular sleeve 8 slidably encircles the portion of the rod 7 extending beyond the plate 4 and is retained by means of a pair of nuts indicated at 9.
  • a compression spring 10 is located around the rod 7 between the closure 6 and the plate 4.
  • the other end of the tube 5 is welded to a plate 11, and this plate in turn carries a pair of lugs 12, one of which can be seen in FIG. 1, to accommodate a pivot bolt 13 which secures the foot 2 to the arms 1.
  • the arms of the hitch meet at a two-armed, hollow tubular member 14 constructed from square-section steel tube.
  • the two arms of the member 14 diverge at an angle of The junction of the two arms of the member 14 is provided with circular discs 15 which are welded on to abut the inner faces of the lugs 12.
  • the pivot bolt 13 secures the member 14 to the foot portion 2 of the hitch in such a manner as to permit rotation of the arms of the Y" as a unit relative to the foot about an axis passing through the junction of the arms normal to the hitch.
  • Each end of the member 14 accommodates a further frame member 16, similarly of hollow, square-section steel tube, so shaped that the outer ends of the two members 16 extend symmetrically with respect to the member 14 and parallel to each other. Locking of the members 16 with relation to the member 14 is effected by means of the clamping arrangement which is seen in FIG. 1 andwhich is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2.
  • Each member 16 carries a pair of upstanding lugs 17 which support a corresponding length of rigid tube 18 on a transverse pivot pin 19.
  • the member 14 carries a corresponding pair of clamping members generally indicated at 20.
  • Each clamping member consists of a pair of upstanding lugs 21 which are bored to accommodate the tube 18.
  • a pivot 22 carried by the lugs 21 supports a locking cam 23 which is provided with a threaded bore 24 accommodating a clamping screw 25. It will be seen from FIG. 2 that tightening of the clamping screw 25 forces the cam 23 into firm engagement with the tube 18, thereby clamping the latter.
  • the free end of each member 16 is provided with a thickened collar 26, and a bore 27 extends clear through the tubular member 16 and collar 26.
  • a first extension member 28, of square-section steel tube, is accommodated telescopically within the end of each of the members 16, and is bored at 2 inch intervals alongits length to permit of its being adjusted longitudinally of the free end of the corresponding member 16, and locked in position by means of a bolt 27'.
  • each member 28 has a thickened collar 29 bored at 30 and a corresponding second extension piece 31 nests within the member 28.
  • This extension piece 31 is again of hollow square-section steel tube. Also, a bolt 30 is provided to lock the extension piece 31 within the extension piece 28.
  • a short length of circular-section steel tube (not shown) is welded within the open end of each extension piece 31, and this accommodates a cylindrical spindle 32 of a bearing engaging clamp generally indicated at 33.
  • the spindle 32 carries a rectangular plate 34 and a pair of slotted cheek plates 35 are welded on either side of the plate 34.
  • a locking member 36 of platelike form is supported between the cheek plates 35 on a pivot 37 and carries an operating lever 38 by means of which it can be moved from the solid line position to the dotted line position of FIG. 3 against the tension of a pair of springs 39 which engage on the ends of a pair of corresponding pins 40 and 41 welded to the lever 38 and the extension piece 31 respectively.
  • the spindle 32 carries a pair of axially spaced grooves 32' which are engaged by bolts 32A passing through the extension piece 31.
  • Each bearing engaging clamp 33 is constructed to engage with a corresponding stub axle 42 carried in roller bearings 43 at the center of a slotted bearing plate 44.
  • the stub axle is retained in engagement by means of a nut 45.
  • the end of the stub axle engaged by the clamp 33 is formed with a shoulder 46 and a grooved cylindrical end portion 47.
  • the engagement is such that the plate 34 and locking member 36 of the clamp 33 engage in the groove 47A of the portion 47, while the check plates engage on the cylindrical regions of the portion d7.
  • To assist in engagement in the groove 47A the corresponding edges of the plate 34 and locking member 36 are chamfered as indicated by the shading in FIG. 3.
  • Each bearing plate consists of a web 49 and a hub portion 50 provided with strengthening ribs 51.
  • the web 49 is approximately pentagonal in plan view and is slotted with a series of slots which are labeled in FIG. 4 in sets A, B, C, D and E.
  • the apertures of the first series A are spaced apart from each other by 72 and are intended for coupling to a towing vehicle wheel hub having five wheel securing studs.
  • the single slot E cooperates with the slots of the set B to form a second group for use with five-stud hubs, with the slots of set C for use with four-stud hubs, and with the slots of the set D for use with three-stud hubs.
  • the slots E and D can also be used in conjunction with six-stud wheel hubs, making use only of three of the studs for securing the bearing plate 88.
  • the bearing plate is secured to the corresponding hub of a towing vehicle by removal of the retaining nuts from the hub, replacement of the removed nuts by extension nuts of the type illustrated in FIG. 6 to secure the vehicle wheel on to its hub, and then the appropriate slots of the bearing plate are applied over the projecting shanks of the extension nuts. Nuts threaded to correspond to the shanks of the extension nuts are then used to secure the bearing plate to the hub of the towing vehicle.
  • three only of the nuts are removed and replaced by the extension nuts, the remaining three original nuts being left in position.
  • the bearing plate can still be used, but instead of the extension members illustrated in H0. 6, it will be necessary to provide extension members having threaded shanks at both ends. Then, the wheel-retaining bolts are replaced by screwing one end of each extension into the relevant threaded aperture in the hub, while the plate is then located over the projecting threaded shanks of the extension members, and a set of matching nuts is used to secure the plate to the extension members.
  • the width of the slots in the bearing plate may be kept to a minimum by using a standard size stud and nut, thus avoiding the necessity for machining excessively wide slots to accommodate the thickness of stud used to secure the wheel of the towing vehicle to its hub. it is for this reason that provision is not made to use the securing nuts or bolts of the towing vehicle wheels to secure the bearing plates to the extension members.
  • the trailer hitch illustrated above may be adapted for use with many different types of vehicle by adjustment of the lengths and widths of the arms, and by provision of a suitable set of extension members. It is found, moreover, that the pivotal movements provided in the hitch will accommodate all the necessary relative movement between the towing vehicle and the trailer. Relative rotation of the two tubular parts 3 and 5 will accommodate corresponding rotation of the trailer and towing vehicle about a longitudinal axis as a result of road unevenness, rotation about the bolt l3 accommodates steering movement, while the rotation of the bearing plates about the axes of the spindles 32 accommodates the oscillation of certain types of rear wheel suspension encountered in motor vehicles.
  • the swinging arm or DeDion type suspension.
  • the case of trailing arm, or lssigonis-type suspension the movement to be actuated is fairly complex. Firstly, the oscillation of the suspension in a vertical direction under load is taken care of partly by the tilting of the trailer vehicle about its road wheels, and partly by rotation of the two tubes 3 and 5 about their common axis. This will account for symmetrical and one-sided oscillation of the suspension. Further, oscillation of a trailing-arm-type suspension also causes a component of movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle.
  • the illustrated embodiment enables a trailer to be towed by any towing vehicle, without the provision of a permanent towing bracket. Also, the hitch can be rapidly detached form the towing vehicle by uncoupling the stub axles from the clamps 33, without removing the bearing plates Alb from the towing vehicle.
  • a trailer hitch comprising a symmetrical substantially Y-shaped frame having parallel terminal arm portions carrying bearings for attachment to the rear wheel hubs of a towing vehicle, the foot of the Y" being arranged for attachment to a trailer,
  • a trailer hitch as claimed in claim l in which the foot portion of the arm consists of a pair of telescopically arranged tubular members the outermost of which is adapted to be secured to the trailer, and which provide a straight-through connection between the trailer and a vehicle to which it is attached when said tubular members are in their fully extended position.
  • a trailer hitch according to claim 2 comprising a shock absorber coupled to the two tubular members thereby damping their relative telescoping movement.
  • a trailer hitch according to claim 3 comprising overrun braking means on the trailer connected to said tubular members for actuating by telescoping movement of said tubular members.
  • each bearing includes a slotted plate adapted for attachment to the hub of the corresponding rear wheel of a towing vehicle by means of the normal securing members of the latter.
  • each arm of the Y is hollow, and comprising a bearing-engaging clamp for each arm, which clamp includes a rod engaging in the hollow end of the arm, and means securing said rod in said clamp in a manner which prevents axial movement but allows sufficient rotational movement to permit operational arcuate rotation of the bearing around the axis of the terminal portion of the arm.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Axle Suspensions And Sidecars For Cycles (AREA)
US822235A 1968-05-06 1969-05-06 Trailer hitches Expired - Lifetime US3583728A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2136068 1968-05-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3583728A true US3583728A (en) 1971-06-08

Family

ID=10161600

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US822235A Expired - Lifetime US3583728A (en) 1968-05-06 1969-05-06 Trailer hitches

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3583728A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AT (1) AT311809B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE732609A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH492577A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1922831A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DK (1) DK122590B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2007922A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1265482A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE348686B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3741578A (en) * 1971-06-18 1973-06-26 Bernard L Hitching attachment for a snowmobile
US3827714A (en) * 1971-11-10 1974-08-06 Peugeot & Renault Automatic tensioning and release devices for automotive safety harnesses
US3834726A (en) * 1971-12-13 1974-09-10 M Hobza Standing occupant propelled merchandise carrier
US4640523A (en) * 1984-06-12 1987-02-03 Wolmarans Johann R Hitch assembly
US4691934A (en) * 1986-05-07 1987-09-08 Jack Tomse Towing system for vehicles
US5370413A (en) * 1993-10-12 1994-12-06 Kulker; Leo Vehicle towing apparatus
US5501482A (en) * 1993-09-28 1996-03-26 Mcclive; William J. Wheel coupling for attaching a vehicular device to a wheel of an automotive vehicle
DE19937168A1 (de) * 1999-08-06 2001-03-01 Audi Ag Fahrzeuganhänger
US7837216B1 (en) * 2009-01-12 2010-11-23 Dethmers Manufacturing Company Tow bar apparatus
US8794343B2 (en) 2012-05-31 2014-08-05 Cnh Industrial America Llc Hitch assembly for an agricultural implement
CN108584225A (zh) * 2018-03-15 2018-09-28 东北大学秦皇岛分校 一种可变形垃圾袋架
US10231372B2 (en) * 2017-02-24 2019-03-19 Matthew S. Pennybacker Coupling device to connect two tractor-pulled agricultural implements for tandem-powered operation
CN109665437A (zh) * 2018-12-11 2019-04-23 法兰泰克重工股份有限公司 一种管片吊运自适应平衡机构
US10828951B1 (en) * 2018-02-19 2020-11-10 Justin W. Earnest Resilient vehicle coupling assemblies
US10913319B1 (en) * 2017-06-26 2021-02-09 Burley Design Llc Bicycle trailer pivot assembly
US11203239B2 (en) * 2017-02-17 2021-12-21 Nuctech Company Limited Traction device and traction method
US20230037989A1 (en) * 2021-08-06 2023-02-09 Versatile Products, Inc. Theft-Proof Trailer Hitch Tongue

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0006236A1 (de) * 1978-06-16 1980-01-09 Enzo Tedeschi Vorrichtung zum Abschleppen eines Fahrzeugs
GB2146962A (en) * 1983-09-23 1985-05-01 Ching Haw Lai Towing bar
US4736963A (en) * 1986-01-21 1988-04-12 Bettencourt Edward J Tow bar for a three-wheeled vehicle
WO1988005730A1 (en) * 1987-01-29 1988-08-11 Ivano Franchini Tool for towing motor-driven vehicles on land with steering device
GB2329625B (en) * 1997-09-27 2002-05-15 Keith Barton Williams Improvements relating to towing aids
CN113335354B (zh) * 2021-06-09 2022-11-29 长春赛诺迈德医学技术有限责任公司 一种样本运送装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1572914A (en) * 1925-05-11 1926-02-16 Walter P Fleming Drive-away towing fixture
US2056523A (en) * 1935-02-20 1936-10-06 Thomas H Jacob Drawbar for trailers
US3129019A (en) * 1961-06-01 1964-04-14 Bartone John Trailer hitch

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1572914A (en) * 1925-05-11 1926-02-16 Walter P Fleming Drive-away towing fixture
US2056523A (en) * 1935-02-20 1936-10-06 Thomas H Jacob Drawbar for trailers
US3129019A (en) * 1961-06-01 1964-04-14 Bartone John Trailer hitch

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3741578A (en) * 1971-06-18 1973-06-26 Bernard L Hitching attachment for a snowmobile
US3827714A (en) * 1971-11-10 1974-08-06 Peugeot & Renault Automatic tensioning and release devices for automotive safety harnesses
US3834726A (en) * 1971-12-13 1974-09-10 M Hobza Standing occupant propelled merchandise carrier
US4640523A (en) * 1984-06-12 1987-02-03 Wolmarans Johann R Hitch assembly
US4691934A (en) * 1986-05-07 1987-09-08 Jack Tomse Towing system for vehicles
US5501482A (en) * 1993-09-28 1996-03-26 Mcclive; William J. Wheel coupling for attaching a vehicular device to a wheel of an automotive vehicle
US5370413A (en) * 1993-10-12 1994-12-06 Kulker; Leo Vehicle towing apparatus
DE19937168A1 (de) * 1999-08-06 2001-03-01 Audi Ag Fahrzeuganhänger
DE19937168B4 (de) * 1999-08-06 2006-07-20 Audi Ag Fahrzeuganhänger
US7837216B1 (en) * 2009-01-12 2010-11-23 Dethmers Manufacturing Company Tow bar apparatus
US8794343B2 (en) 2012-05-31 2014-08-05 Cnh Industrial America Llc Hitch assembly for an agricultural implement
US11203239B2 (en) * 2017-02-17 2021-12-21 Nuctech Company Limited Traction device and traction method
US10231372B2 (en) * 2017-02-24 2019-03-19 Matthew S. Pennybacker Coupling device to connect two tractor-pulled agricultural implements for tandem-powered operation
US10913319B1 (en) * 2017-06-26 2021-02-09 Burley Design Llc Bicycle trailer pivot assembly
US10828951B1 (en) * 2018-02-19 2020-11-10 Justin W. Earnest Resilient vehicle coupling assemblies
CN108584225A (zh) * 2018-03-15 2018-09-28 东北大学秦皇岛分校 一种可变形垃圾袋架
CN108584225B (zh) * 2018-03-15 2020-05-08 东北大学秦皇岛分校 一种可变形垃圾袋架
CN109665437A (zh) * 2018-12-11 2019-04-23 法兰泰克重工股份有限公司 一种管片吊运自适应平衡机构
US20230037989A1 (en) * 2021-08-06 2023-02-09 Versatile Products, Inc. Theft-Proof Trailer Hitch Tongue
US11787245B2 (en) * 2021-08-06 2023-10-17 Versatile Products, Inc. Theft-proof trailer hitch tongue

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1922831A1 (de) 1969-11-27
CH492577A (de) 1970-06-30
DK122590B (da) 1972-08-21
FR2007922A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-01-16
BE732609A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1969-10-16
AT311809B (de) 1973-12-10
GB1265482A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-03-01
SE348686B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-09-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3583728A (en) Trailer hitches
DE19781757B4 (de) Aufhängungssystem
US4405147A (en) Trailer steering device for spaced axle trailer
CA2032451C (en) Trailer hitch shock absorber
US4186938A (en) Vehicle tow bar
US4120509A (en) Self-steering tandem axle bogie
US3630303A (en) Front suspension for a front drive vehicle
US4722542A (en) Trailer hitch assembly
US4619544A (en) Bushings
US4076264A (en) Self steering trailer arrangement
SK2682000A3 (en) Hitch assembly and trailer
DE19639002C2 (de) Vorderradaufhängung
US3679231A (en) Trailer hitch
CA1121998A (en) Axle alignment mechanism and method
DE1292524B (de) Parkeinrichtung fuer Kraftfahrzeuge
US3704029A (en) Rear wheel arrangement having trailing arms for an automobile vehicle
US5806870A (en) Utility vehicle having two pivotable chassis
US3865405A (en) Trailer dolly
US3756618A (en) Tow hitch
US6419247B1 (en) Auxiliary axle assembly
US4863185A (en) Universal trailer hitch apparatus
US2817541A (en) Auxiliary trailer coupling
CA1185424A (en) Wheel alignment device
EP0806310A2 (de) Einzelradaufhängung für ein luftgefedertes, lenkbares Rad eines Omnibusses oder Lastkraftwagens
US4640522A (en) Draft link sway block